News & Announcements
School Operations, Health and Safety Information
For important school operations and health and safety information, please use the links below:
UGDSB Ventilation Report
The UGDSB is continuing its work optimizing air quality in classrooms and learning environments through improving ventilation and filtration. Upgrades to ventilation and filtration systems began in the 2020-21 school year and will continue for the 2021-22 school year.
The UGDSB has received funding from the Provincial Government and Federal Government to allow the board to continue its work in optimizing ventilation and air quality in UGDSB schools and meet the provincial requirements for ventilation measures in schools. The UGDSB is also making investments in schools to go above and beyond the provincial requirements, as another layer of the protective strategies the board is utilizing to keep UGDSB learning and working spaces safe for students and staff.
Visit UGDSB Ventilation Report page for full details.
Peanut/Nut Allergies
There are several students at John Black Public School who have allergies to all nuts and peanut products. Many of these allergies are life-threatening. As you can understand, the best way to provide a safe environment for all students is to enlist the help of the staff, students and ...October John Black PS Highlights and News!
October News At John Black PS- World Teacher Appreciation Day
- Picture Day
- IB Program Information
September 30th is The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Thursday, September 30th is The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day honours the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. On this day our students are encouraged and will be supported to wear orange to honour ...Read more about September 30th is The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation »
Virtual Open House – Wednesday, September 29th
Dear families, Tonight starting at 5pm we are having a virtual open house where parents and guardians can go online to learn about their child’s classroom. Please be sure to visit your child’s Google Classroom where you will find a post from your child’s teacher sharing information and highlights of ...Read more about Virtual Open House – Wednesday, September 29th »
September Newsletter
Highlights:- School Council Message and First Meeting Date
- School Information
Annual Reminder: Video Surveillance
As an added security measure, our school facility is monitored by 24 hour video surveillance.
Security cameras are in operation for the safety of the students, staff and the school community and for the protection of Upper Grand District School Board property. Information is collected under the authority of ...
2021-2022 Safety Drills
The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. Although we hope that an incident that requires response from emergency personnel will never occur in our school, we must be prepared to respond quickly and effectively in case it does. Each year our school must conduct drills to ensure ...Smoke and Vape-Free Environment
Smoke and Vape-Free Environment The Upper Grand DSB provides a smoke and vape-free environment for its students, staff and others while on Board property, in accordance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and Board policy 208. This policy refers to all forms of tobacco, and any processed form of tobacco that may ...Students with Life-Threatening Medical Conditions and Life-Threatening Allergies
Students with Life-Threatening Medical Conditions UGDSB Policy 518: Students with Life-Threatening Medical Conditions, outlines the roles and responsibilities for all in the educational community to support students with possible life-threatening medical conditions. The prevalent medical conditions covered under this policy are Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Diabetes and Epilepsy/Seizure Disorders. If your child has ...Read more about Students with Life-Threatening Medical Conditions and Life-Threatening Allergies »
Welcome Back – Here’s Where You will Find your Teacher – Class Lines Map
Happy Labour Day John Black Students, Staff and Parents/Guardians! We are excited to see you tomorrow morning! It's always helpful to do a little planning ahead to help make tomorrow's transition a smooth one and to help easy any worry your child may be feeling. Here are a few ideas: Consider ...Read more about Welcome Back – Here’s Where You will Find your Teacher – Class Lines Map »
Tentative School Organizations – Message from the Human Resources Department
UPPER GRAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 500 Victoria Road North Guelph, Ontario N1E 6K2 September 2021 Message from the Human Resources Department Re: School Organizations Schools have built class lists based on their tentative organizations. Changes may be necessary at your child(ren)’s school in order that our Board remain compliant with Ministry parameters (see below). Any changes ...Read more about Tentative School Organizations – Message from the Human Resources Department »
Student Accident Insurance
Reminder for parents/guardians: Student Accident Insurance
Parents and guardians are responsible for expenses related to student injuries on school premises or during school activities. Accidents ...
John Black 2021-2022 Back to School Plan
Back to school is approaching quickly and we have developed a plan and routines to maintain the safety of our school community during the school year. Please take a moment to read over this year's start up information.JB Return To School Plan 2021Lunchroom Supervisors Needed
We are currently looking for lunchroom supervisors and supply supervisors to supervise students during the nutrition breaks at John Black. If you are interested in being more involved in your school community, please email your resume to the principal at [email protected] or call the office to arrange a resume drop ...Community Resource Centre Backpack program available
Families in need are invited to register for the 2021 Backpack Program sponsored by the Community Resource Centre.
Read more about Community Resource Centre Backpack program available »
2021 Long Term Accommodation Plan annual review report approved
The 2021 Long Term Accommodation Plan (LTAP) Annual Review Report was approved at the Board Meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board on June 22, 2021.
This purpose of this report is to review updated data and any other changes affecting accommodation. ...
Read more about 2021 Long Term Accommodation Plan annual review report approved »
Policy feedback opportunity: School Volunteers, Educational Field Trips and Off-Site Activities
The following UGDSB draft policies have been released for public consultation: Policy 205 School Volunteers, and Policy 508 Educational Field Trips and Off-Site Activities. The deadline to provide feedback is October 14, 2021, at 4pm.
Board News: End of the year information (June 2021)
As we approach the end of the school year, we would like to say thank you to all our students, families and staff for their hard work and understanding throughout the year. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with information about the last few weeks of school.
Read more about Board News: End of the year information (June 2021) »
Student Belongings Pick Up Plan- June 21, 2021
Please see the attached plan which will outline the process for picking up student belongings on June 21st.Item Pickup Instructions For Parents (June 21, 2021)WDG Public Health to host Parent Information Session on COVID-19 vaccines
On June 14, 2021, at 7pm, Dr. Matthew Tenenbaum, the Associate Medical Officer of Health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, will be offering a presentation for youth and their parents/caregivers to learn more about WDGPH’s COVID-19 vaccination program and answer parent questions.
Read more about WDG Public Health to host Parent Information Session on COVID-19 vaccines »
UGDSB celebrates National Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month, a month where we celebrate and recognize histories, contributions and diversity of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in Canada.
Read more about UGDSB celebrates National Indigenous History Month »
Supports for staff and students following horrific violence targeting Muslim community
The Upper Grand District School Board would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Muslim community following the horrific violence in London, Ontario, which killed four family members and sent another family member to hospital with serious injuries. Officials are reporting that this is an apparent hate crime and that the victims were targeted because of their Muslim faith.
UGDSB launching online report card system
Due to COVID-19, the Upper Grand District School Board is preparing to make student report cards available online for parents/guardians this spring. Keep reading for important dates coming up.
Province announces that Ontario schools will remain in remote learning this school year
On June 2, 2021, the provincial government announced that Ontario schools will remain in remote learning for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. This means that all UGDSB students will continue learning remotely for the rest of this school year, with the exception of those students currently attending specialized class placements in person.
We include all awesome humans – UGDSB Kicks off Pride Month celebrations
Throughout the month of June, the Upper Grand District School Board will be celebrating Pride Month at the board and school levels and as a community.
Read more about We include all awesome humans – UGDSB Kicks off Pride Month celebrations »
UGDSB flags to be lowered in honour of 215 children whose lives were taken at former residential school
From May 31 to June 7, the Upper Grand District School Board will lower all flags at school and office buildings, where possible, to honour the 215 children whose lives were taken at a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C.
#UGUmbrella – This June we are looking at Mastery
We’ve almost completed our first year of exploring a different Umbrella Skill each month. This June, we will be looking at Mastery as our final Umbrella Skill for the 2020-2021 school year.
Read more about #UGUmbrella – This June we are looking at Mastery »
UGDSB approves new Indigenous Education policy
This policy states that the Upper Grand District School Board acknowledges that Indigenous Peoples are distinct from other equity seeking groups in that they are self-determining nations with inherent rights, laws, and institutions. Indigenous rights are distinct. It is the goal of the UGDSB to ensure that Indigenous staff and students are not deprived of their rights, and are provided with a learning and working environment that is free from racism and discrimination of any kind.
Read more about UGDSB approves new Indigenous Education policy »
Registration for the 2021-22 Elementary Remote School is May 20-June 3
Registration for the UGDSB’s 2021-22 Elementary Remote School is open from May 20-June 3. Any families wishing to enrol their child in the ERS are asked to register before the deadline of June 3, 2021, at 4pm.
Read more about Registration for the 2021-22 Elementary Remote School is May 20-June 3 »
Summer School 2021: Grade 6, 7, 8 Programs
The Upper Grand District School Board is offering summer programming to students. Registration is now open for the Grade 6, 7, 8 Literacy and Numeracy Support Programs and the Grade 8 Reach Ahead Credits.
Read more about Summer School 2021: Grade 6, 7, 8 Programs »
